Inspiring Opportunities is an e-mail from Coming of Age for people 50+ who are making a difference in the world, in their communities and in their lives.



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There is now research to show that calling older adults "honey"or "dear"not only comes across as belittling or condescending to some, but can actually affect a person's health and self-image and lead to more negative stereotypes of aging. While some people see these ways of being addressed as terms of endearment, others respond to "elderspeak"by becoming angry, and even aggressive. Have you experienced this treatment, or been inadvertently guilty of it? Check out this "New York Times"article ...


Feeling on edge -- or excited--about your future and what's next? Plan on attending two upcoming events being held by The Transition Network in Philadelphia: Peer Group meeting and "Smart Women Don't Retire"workshop. At the introductory Peer Group meeting on October 23rd, you will meet other women who are asking similar questions, looking for role models, and seeking support in this next stage of life. The interactive workshop to be held on November 20th, will get you involved in exploring next steps. To learn more and register, click here.


What inspired your encore career -- the work you are pursuing in the second half of life -- that combines personal passion, social purpose and continued income to make a difference in your community? For some, it was a voice that grew louder. For others, it was a gradual shift in priorities or a life-changing event. Share your story and you could win a trip to the first Encore Careers Summit, December 6-8th, at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, sponsored by Coming of Age partner, Civic Ventures. Submission deadline is October 20th. Click here


And here's another outlet for your interesting stories...WHYY, a Coming of Age founding partner, is looking for first-person experiences about connecting and contributing in your neighborhood or in larger arenas. Here is a chance to share what you have been doing for its compelling, new "Coming of Age"radio series on 91 FM and whyy.org. The series will explore the many ways that people fifty plus in the Greater Philadelphia area are pursuing their interests and making a difference. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, and to submit your story, click here.




 
Greater Philadelphia Cares, in partnership with the Philadelphia School District, will host the 15th Annual Philadelphia Cares Day on October 18th, a marathon day of service that gives city children attractive and more functional learning environments. More than 100 schools will benefit from fresh coats of paint, refurbished libraries, landscaped green spaces, restored playground equipment, and much more. Join 10,000 volunteers at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts before heading off to schools throughout the city. To learn more and sign up, call (215) 564-4544.


Coming of Age Founding Partner, AARP Pennsylvania, is sponsoring the "Women as Decision Makers Forum"on October 23rd, 10am - noon, at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Women have emerged as an important demographic in shaping election outcomes and in driving consumer decision-making behavior. Featured speaker is Barbara Kennelly, President/CEO of National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; Angela Russell, CBS 3 Anchor, will moderate. RSVP by October 20th, at 1-(877) 926-8300.




  If you know of a volunteer opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area that you would like featured here, e-mail details to havewegot@comingofage.org. You can find more opportunities at:




Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a Haverford, PA-based, nonprofit education and support organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life, seeks a full-time (40 hours per week, including some weekends and evenings) communications assistant. This staff position provides administrative, production and writing support for a 15-person office. Strong writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills required. To learn more and to apply, click.


Cuddle My Kids Inc., based in West Chester, PA., was founded in 2007 by a breast cancer survivor who at the age of 32 faced the challenge of balancing her medical and physical recovery from breast cancer with her passion to care for her two sons under the age of 3. Her mission has grown and volunteers are needed to play and interact with young children who have a parent with cancer. If you have child care experience, are energetic, and can provide a child abuse clearance, as well as a criminal background check, contact this organization to learn how you can make a difference in a child's life. Call (610) 918-1440.


The Philadelphia Senior Center is looking for enthusiastic people committed to helping the environment in a proactive and positive setting. Get involved on the "Green Team"and receive trainings on its initiatives, educate other older adults and become an advocate to spread the word to organizations throughout the city. The Philadelphia Senior Center is located at 509 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia. To learn more, contact Helen Sunga at (215) 546-5879 or by e-mail.




We list events and opportunities here we think will interest people 50+ who want to make a difference. If you know of such events, please send us information. If you attended an event you learned about here, please send us a review.

And don't forget to check out our website Community Calendar too!


7:00 pm at White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
"Change"is a word that has become a bit overused, but is never out of fashion! Sue Ellen Klein of SpokesPeople, invites you to join in a casual conversation about what you, your neighbors, and politicians are doing to create positive change. SpokesPeople believes that when we are willing to Speak Up! and Speak Out! for the things we care about, we begin to create the change we want to see in the world. Reservations required. FREE. Call (215) 384-9224.


6:30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
As part of the National Constitution Center’s Election 08: The Power of We series, Carly Fiorina, former Chair and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, will discuss the economic challenges facing the country and the next president. As a regular passenger on John McCain’s Straight Talk Express, she is in a unique position to speak about the economic policies of the Republican nominee. $15 for non-members; Reservations Required. Call (215) 409- 6700.


6:00 pm at Saunders House, 100 Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, PA
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias? Who is caring for you? Get mutual support from other caregivers, learn practical caregiving information, and learn about community resources all in a caring and confidential setting. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to participate. To RSVP and to learn about groups in other locations, call (610) 658-5152.


7:30 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
What is really happening in Afghanistan? Dexter Filkins, a foreign correspondent for the The New York Times, can provide personal insights on the war as he discusses his work, "The Forever War."Filkins received a Pulitzer Prize nomination for his reporting from Afghanistan, and through this book offers a visceral tour of today’s battlefields as someone who has walked side-by-side with U.S. Marines during the battle of Fallujah. FREE. For information, call (215) 567-4341.


6:30 pm at Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Developed and run by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, “Dots &Dashes” is a fun way for people in the Delaware Valley to voice their opinions about what public transit projects they would like to see in the next thirty years. Join Clean Air Council members and friends in playing this lively game and agree on priorities that, together with the results of other groups who play, will inform DVRPC's Connections 2035 Long Range Plan and a new Regional Transit Vision plan. FREE. Food will be served. Space is limited. To register, click.


11:30 am at Auditorium at Moore College of Art and Design, 20th and the Parkway, Philadelphia
Plan to attend a film screening of Thomas Friedman, "New York Times"columnist and three-time Pulitzer prize winner interviewing executives from Google and Wal-Mart about how their companies are going green and making lots of green. FREE. For more information, call (215) 965-4027.


12:00 pm at Philadelphia Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia
A famous Philadelphian once said, ''An apple a day keeps the doctor away'' ... but an apple is increasingly hard to find for many urban families. Learn about the design, financing, and public health challenges in bringing fresh, healthy food within reach of low-income, urban neighborhoods -- and how innovative design can be part of the solution. Lunch-time discussion presented by the Community Design Collaborative. FREE. Contact: (215) 587-9290.





For You and Those You Care For


The Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services (CMS) recently launched "Ask Medicare,"a new initiative to help family caregivers -- those who are family members or friends who help people with Medicare -- access and use valuable healthcare information, services and resources. More than 44 million Americans, more than one in five adults, provide care to a loved one, friend or neighbor, valued in economic terms at $350 billion annually, according to a recent report by AARP. The new initiative will provide a one-stop web page for caregivers (www.medicare.gov/caregivers) that contains useful information about Medicare and other essential resources to help with caregiving. Read More.

SPONSOR:




VISTA is looking for experienced, energetic individuals who want to make a full-time, year-long commitment to fight poverty. If you’re retiring soon, already there or want to take a year off for a year of service, VISTA may be for you. Living allowances and other benefits are provided. More About VISTA

See this week's featured VISTA opportunity under "Have We Got an Opportunity For You."